Game 7

I'm writing this while I wait for Game 7 of the World Series to start. Strangely, I'm not that excited about the game, even though it's been one of the most exciting and down-to-the-wire World Series in years. As a baseball fan, I can appreciate that. I can admire the tenacity both teams have shown to force the series to Game 7. I can marvel, with the rest of the country, at the incredible feats of Albert Pujols, and the history geek in me thrills a little every time I think about the significance of those feats. As a Tigers fan, though, I really don't care that much about who wins tonight's game. It even took me a long time to decide who to root for. Initially, I tried to take the high road and support Texas and the American League, but eventually my sore loser side won out and I decided to root for St. Louis to take Texas down a notch. I justified my decision with the fact that Jim Leyland and Tony La Russa are best friends, but really all I was thinking about was Nelson Cruz taunting Verlander from the dugout during the ALCS, and how much I wanted someone to wipe that smug smile off his face. So I'll be happy if the Cards win it all tonight. But not that happy. Because I'm a Tigers fan, and that should be my boys out there. I care too much about the Tigers, and there's no room in my heart for any other teams. I can enjoy this World Series because I enjoy baseball, but it's hard for me to get too excited or involved in things. For me, the baseball year ended on October 15, and the best thing about Game 7 is that when it's over, I can focus entirely on 2012. Since I started writing this, the game has started, and it looks like it's going to be a shootout, a fitting end to this crazy series. 160 days until Opening Day - Go Tigers. -J.